Four commencement ceremonies set for April 21

April 11, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- Nearly 2,400 degrees will be awarded to new graduates
as Western Michigan University, for the first time, holds four
separate commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 21.

WMU President Elson S. Floyd will preside over all four ceremonies
in Miller Auditorium. During one of those ceremonies, at 2:30
p.m., WMU will honor Donald Gilmer, commissioner of the Michigan
Bureau of State Lottery and a former state representative. He
will receive an honorary doctor of public service degree.

The day's first ceremony, at 9 a.m., is for graduates of the
Haworth College of Business and the General University Studies
Program. The Rev. Kenneth Schmidt of St. Thomas More Student
Parish, will give the invocation and benediction.

The second ceremony, at 11:30 a.m., is for graduates of the
College of Aviation, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences,
the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Health and Human
Services. The Rev. David Swartz of Bethel Baptist Church in Roseville,
Mich., will give the invocation and benediction. His daughter,
Karen Owen, is graduating with high honors, having earned a bachelor's
degree in social work.

The third ceremony, at 2:30 p.m., is for graduates of the
College of Arts and Sciences. The Rev. Glenn Wegner of Baseline
United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Mich., will give the
invocation and benediction. His daughter, Virginia Bosher, is
getting a bachelor's degree in biology. In addition, Gilmer will
receive an honorary doctor of public service degree during this
ceremony.

The fourth ceremony, at 5:30 p.m., is for graduates of the
College of Education. The Rev. Carol Amos, chaplain at Borgess
Hospital and a student graduating with a master's degree in educational
leadership, will give the invocation and benediction.

A total of 2,377 graduates will receive degrees, including
1,860 who will earn bachelor's degrees, 502 who will receive
master's degrees and 15 who will be awarded doctoral degrees.
WMU also holds commencement exercises in June and December.

The Western Brass Ensemble conducted by Steve M. Wolfinberger,
associate professor of music, will perform music for the ceremonies.
The national anthem and the alma mater will be sung by WMU's
chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity
conducted by Anthony Funaro. Graduates will be welcomed as new
alumni of the University by Jeanne Carlson, president of the
WMU Alumni Association, at the 9 and 11:30 a.m. ceremonies, and
by Gary Brown, Portage mayor, at the 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. ceremonies.

Tickets are required for guests to attend the ceremonies and
each participating graduate is eligible to receive up to five
guest tickets.

Guests without tickets may view the exercises on a large-screen
television in Room 3512 of Knauss Hall. Each ceremony will also
be carried live on Channel 7 of EduCABLE, the University's cable
television system, and on Channel 19 of the Charter Communication
cable system. In addition, video of the commencement may also
be viewed online at the time of the ceremonies and for 30 days
afterward. The Web address for online viewing is <www.wmich.edu/commencement>.

University Video Services provides an opportunity for persons
to purchase videotapes of any of the four ceremonies. Orders
may be placed by calling (616) 387-5003. The tapes are $20 each.